Abstract

This excellent volume is “intended for the advanced student or professional worker in the plant sciences.” It should serve, however, as a useful reference to many workers in other fields such as microbiology, protozoology and nutrition.

The book is well outlined, and indexed. Each chapter contains a number of reasonably current general and specific references to material under discussion.

The organisms referred to include bacteria and protozoa (in addition to the higher plants). In this sense therefore it serves as an additional source of information on comparative biochemistry. The chapters on Protein Metabolism, Synthesis of the Amino Acids and Biosynthesis of Coenzymes (Vitamins) could be read with profit by specialists in nutrition. These chapters present many aspects of plant metabolism not generally covered in the usual biochemistry texts.

One part of the book (Part III) should prove of particular interest to those interested in drugs derived from plants.